A council will have to make “difficult choices” as it faces a worst case scenario of having to find £27million over the next three years.
Argyll and Bute Council is likely to increase its fees and charges and its Council Tax by three per cent when it sets its budget on February 22.
Road maintenance, school janitors and public toilets all face cutbacks, with a proposal to cut 34 jobs across the council.
There is a plan to close 36 of the council’s 57 public toilets, and encourage businesses to make their toilets available.
Support provided to advice, debt counselling and welfare agencies is being reviewed, with a saving of £173,200 over three years being considered.
No longer displaying planning applications in post offices is another money-saving idea, while the four team leadership posts in planning services could be cut to three.
Parking costs and the cost of hiring sports venues would increase. Grass could be cut less often.
Jobs could go in education management and the number of janitor hours reduced.
Council Leader Aileen Morton said: “These are tough times for local government. Cuts to council funding continue. Change in how we support our area and our people must therefore continue. Difficult choices about the work of the council must continue.”
She added: “The harsh fact is that taking into account additional commitments asked for by government our funding has still reduced by 1.5% for 2018/19. It is expected to continue falling in the years to come so the council needs to consider the longer term. In the starkest terms we needed to make savings of £5million this year and will need to save a further £22million over the next two years.”
A report setting out the financial position will go before the Policy and Resources Committee on Thursday.
The council has the option of achieving a surplus in its budget for next year if it makes savings identified.
